Sabour: A workshop titled “Green Pathways: Connecting Agriculture Students with Industry Opportunities” was held at Bihar Agricultural University (BAU), Sabour, Bhagalpur, on 14th November 2024. The event, aimed at bridging the gap between academic learning and industry needs, was chaired by Dr. A K Saha, Dean (Agriculture) of BAU. It was a collaborative effort by the Dean’s Office, Placement Cell, Directorate of Student Welfare (DSW), and Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC).
The keynote speaker, Rajan Prakash, Managing Director of Pestgogo Products and Services Pvt. Ltd., discussed the immense potential of the urban pest control sector in India. He highlighted that industries such as food, hospitality, export companies, and healthcare offer untapped opportunities worth around ₹40,000 crore in pest management. Prakash elaborated on the role of pest control in disease prevention and explained career opportunities for agriculture and agribusiness management graduates in roles like operations managers and sales executives. He also provided an overview of Pestgogo’s services.
Dr. D.R. Singh, Vice Chancellor of BAU, praised the students for their intellect and industry readiness, urging companies to hire BAU graduates who are well-versed in agricultural skills and knowledge. Dr. A.K. Saha encouraged students to explore careers in pest control, agribusiness, and entrepreneurship, reinforcing the university’s commitment to preparing students for the evolving agricultural landscape through such initiatives.
Dr. J.N. Srivastava, Director of Student Welfare, emphasised that workshops like this allow students to engage directly with industry leaders. Dr. C.K. Panda, Officer-in-Charge of the Placement Cell, mentioned the university’s active efforts to improve student placements under the leadership of Dr. D.R. Singh. Dr. A. Kohli, Director of IQAC, also highlighted the startup potential in urban pest management.
The event also featured a motivational talk by successful agripreneur Dhirendra Kumar, who shared his entrepreneurial journey, inspiring students to consider innovative career paths. The workshop saw participation from students of Bihar Agricultural College (BAC) and College of Agribusiness Management (CABM), with notable contributions from Dr. Shambhu Prasad, Dr. Kirti, and Dr. Avinash Kumar.
